Speaker

Neena Grover

Colorado College

Chemistry

719-389-6433

ngrover@coloradocollege.edu

Domain II of Hammerhead RNA: Study of a small catalytic RNA

Catalytic function in RNA were discovered in the 1980s. This led to much greater interest in RNA structure and function inside the cell and also for use of RNA in therapeutic applications. My laboratory studies a small catalytic RNA called the hammerhead RNA. We are especially interested in its metal binding properties, its stability, and the core nucleotides that are required for the proper functioning of this RNA. Current studies have included in-depth analysis of kinetics and thermodynamics of domain II of the hammerhead ribozyme.